Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Glossary of words related to diabetes
A1C (also called HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin) – A test that gives you a picture of your blood sugar control over the previous 2 to 3 months. The results help show how well your diabetes care plan is working.
Beta cells – Cells in the pancreas that make and release insulin. In people with type 2 diabetes, the beta cells gradually stop releasing enough insulin to help bring sugar into cells, causing higher levels of blood sugar.
Biguanides – A group of oral medicines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They lower blood sugar by reducing the amount of glucose released by the liver and helping the body respond to insulin. Metformin is a biguanide.
GLP-1 – GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone produced in the gut that helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin to move sugar from the blood into the cells. It stimulates the beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high after you eat. It also helps to lower the amount of sugar produced by the liver.
Glucagon – A hormone that is released by the pancreas when blood sugar decreases (such as between meals or when you exercise). Glucagon tells the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream to bring your blood sugar level back to normal.
Glucose – Sugar. Blood glucose is another way to say blood sugar.
Hormone – A chemical messenger produced by the body that signals a reaction or function.
Hyperglycemia – High blood sugar (above your individual blood sugar target).
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar (usually less than 70 mg/dL).
Insulin – A hormone made by beta cells in the pancreas that helps sugar move from the blood into the cells. Insulin is also used to treat diabetes by helping to control the level of sugar in the blood.
Metformin – A type of oral medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Metformin is a biguanide. Biguanides lower blood sugar by reducing the amount of sugar released by the liver, decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose, and helping the body respond to insulin.
Pancreas – An organ situated behind the stomach that releases insulin as well as enzymes that help digest food in the small intestine. It also regulates blood sugar by releasing glucagon.
Sulfonylureas – A group of oral medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas release more insulin. Glipizide is an example of a sulfonylurea.
Thiazolidinediones – A group of oral medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They help make the cells in the body more sensitive to insulin. Rosiglitazone is an example of a thiazolidinedione.
What is the most important information I should know about Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats and mice, Victoza® and medicines that work like Victoza® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Victoza® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
Who should not use Victoza®?
Do not use Victoza® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in Victoza®. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in “What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?”
What is Victoza®?
Victoza® (liraglutide) injection 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used:
- along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults and children who are 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with known heart disease
Victoza® is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It should not be used with other medicines that contain liraglutide. It is not known if Victoza® is safe and effective to lower blood sugar in children under 10 years of age.
Important Safety Information
What should I tell my health care provider before using Victoza®?
Before using Victoza®, tell your health care provider if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver
- have any other medical conditions or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.
How should I use Victoza®?
- Inject under the skin of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject Victoza® into a muscle or vein
- Change (rotate) your injection site within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lumps under the skin (cutaneous amyloidosis). Do not use the same site for each injection
- Do not mix insulin and Victoza® together in the same injection
- You may give an injection of Victoza® and insulin in the same body area (such as your stomach area), but not right next to each other
- Do not share your Victoza® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them
What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Victoza® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Victoza® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. In children who are 10 years of age and older, the risk for low blood sugar may be higher with Victoza® regardless of use with another medicine that can also lower blood sugar. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Victoza® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or a very rapid heartbeat
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Victoza®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in the upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Victoza® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Victoza® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Victoza® may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation.
Victoza® is a prescription medication.
Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify.
Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats and mice, Victoza® and medicines that work like Victoza® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Victoza® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
Who should not use Victoza®?
Do not use Victoza® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in Victoza®. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in “What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?”
What is Victoza®?
Victoza® (liraglutide) injection 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used:
- along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults and children who are 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with known heart disease
Victoza® is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It should not be used with other medicines that contain liraglutide. It is not known if Victoza® is safe and effective to lower blood sugar in children under 10 years of age.
Important Safety Information
What should I tell my health care provider before using Victoza®?
Before using Victoza®, tell your health care provider if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver
- have any other medical conditions or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.
How should I use Victoza®?
- Inject under the skin of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject Victoza® into a muscle or vein
- Change (rotate) your injection site within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lumps under the skin (cutaneous amyloidosis). Do not use the same site for each injection
- Do not mix insulin and Victoza® together in the same injection
- You may give an injection of Victoza® and insulin in the same body area (such as your stomach area), but not right next to each other
- Do not share your Victoza® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them
What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Victoza® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Victoza® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. In children who are 10 years of age and older, the risk for low blood sugar may be higher with Victoza® regardless of use with another medicine that can also lower blood sugar. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Victoza® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or a very rapid heartbeat
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Victoza®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in the upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Victoza® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Victoza® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Victoza® may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Victoza® is a prescription medication.
Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify.
Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
